Moderating role of entrepreneurial orientation on the relationship between entrepreneurial skills, environmental factors and entrepreneurial intention: A PLS approach

Najafi Auwalu Ibrahim,Abdulsalam Mas’Ud

doi:10.5267/j.msl.2016.1.005

Abstract

Article history: Received October 28, 2015 Received in revised format November 28, 2015 Accepted January 17, 2016 Available online January 20, 2016 For decades, entrepreneurship has become a major concern to both scholars and policymakers because of its significant role in economic and social transformation. This paper modeled the direct effects of entrepreneurial skill, environmental factors and entrepreneurial orientation on entrepreneurial intention as well as the indirect (moderating) effect of entrepreneurial orientation on the relationship of entrepreneurial skill and environmental factors with entrepreneurial intention. Quantitative research design was employed using students’ sample. It was found that entrepreneurial skill, environmental factors and entrepreneurial orientation have a positive influence on entrepreneurial intention. It was also discovered that entrepreneurial orientation moderates the relationship between entrepreneurial skill and entrepreneurial intention. However, the moderation effect of entrepreneurial orientation on the relationship between environmental factors and entrepreneurial intention was not established in this study, thus, called for exploring this moderating effect in other contexts. As implication to policy, the government should ensure not only enriching students with entrepreneurial skill and conducive entrepreneurial environment but also well-built entrepreneurial orientation among Nigeria teeming youths as it has a direct effect as well as strong interaction with other factors in explaining entrepreneurial intention.

Highlights

Entrepreneurship has become a major concern to both scholars and policy makers because of its significant role in economic and social growth (Brancu et al, 2015)
The study examines the direct effect of entrepreneurial skills, environmental factors and entrepreneurial orientation on entrepreneurial intention
The findings revealed that entrepreneurial skills, environmental factors and entrepreneurial orientation are positively related to entrepreneurial intention

Summary

Introduction

Entrepreneurship has become a major concern to both scholars and policy makers because of its significant role in economic and social growth (Brancu et al, 2015). It provides an avenue that drives innovation; create employment that are essential for economic transformation and advancement (Hathaway & Litan, 2014; Stel & Suddle, 2008; Wennekers & Thurik, 1999), government sees it as a panacea of many economic and social vices especially in developing countries (Thornton et al, 2011). These benefits encourage government especially in developing countries to come up with many policies that will enhance entrepreneurship, especially among its teeming youths. The fourth part is results and discussion, and lastly conclusion and policy implication

Methods

Results

Conclusion